Liverpool’s Draw at West Ham: A Tale of Two Halves

Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime at the London Stadium. The Reds came from behind to take the lead, only to be pegged back by Michail Antonio’s header 13 minutes from time.

Team News

Cody Gakpo returned to the starting lineup for the visit to West Ham, with the forward back in the XI after missing Wednesday’s clash with Everton as the Reds made five changes.

First Half

Liverpool started the afternoon on the front foot in the capital, with Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk both volleying wide. It was Elliott, though, who went closest as he latched onto a glancing Gakpo header inside the box to fire into the side-netting from a tight angle.

The London Stadium was the venue for Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with West Ham

The Hammers responded via Bowen in a busy opening period, the attacker shooting low from distance and his effort well saved by the diving Alisson Becker.

Penalty Drama

The Reds continued to pressure the home defense, as Gravenberch saw a low cross gathered by Alphonse Areola, before the goalkeeper gave a penalty away on the next attack. Gakpo was brought down inside the six-yard box, but Diaz was ruled to be offside in the build-up, with VAR confirming the on-field decision.

Bowen Strikes

Ahead of the half-time interval, Diaz struck the post to go closest for Liverpool, which proved a decisive moment as West Ham opened the scoring two minutes before the break. Bowen reacted sharply to a quickly taken corner, with Mohammed Kudus’ cross reaching the forward, who guided a header into the corner of the net.

Jarrod Bowen’s goal gave West Ham the lead at halftime

Second Half Comeback

Gravenberch signalled Liverpool’s early intent in the second period, volleying a powerful shot over the bar during a good opening just seconds after the restart. And the Reds were level within three minutes thanks to a clever finish from Robertson, the full-back taking Diaz’s pass, flicking the ball up, and shooting into the bottom corner of the net.

Andy Robertson’s goal leveled the score for Liverpool

Gakpo’s Volley

With 25 minutes remaining, Liverpool had a lead their play deserved, as Gakpo’s volley from a corner deflected into the net via Angelo Ogbonna, Tomas Soucek, and goalkeeper Areola.

Cody Gakpo’s volley gave Liverpool the lead

Antonio’s Equalizer

Alisson, however, produced a brilliant save from Emerson as the ball sat up for the defender, although he would be beaten 13 minutes from time. Antonio was on hand to meet a Bowen cross from the right and headed home, leaving the game all square.

Michail Antonio’s header earned West Ham a point

Liverpool responded with three changes as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Joe Gomez stepped off the bench. And Nunez almost put the Reds ahead from a low Salah cross, though the retreating Soucek intervened at the perfect moment to slide the ball behind.

As time expired at the end of 90 minutes, Elliott struck the bar with a driven effort during a Liverpool breakaway, which was the last meaningful action of the afternoon.

Liverpool FC’s draw at West Ham was a thrilling encounter